Operator

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for operating a valve either 90* or 180* comprising a first hydraulic cylinder driving a first arm, and a second hydraulic cylinder mounted on the first arm and driving a second arm and including limit switches to indicate the extremes of valve operation and a hydraulic system to supply fluid to the hydraulic cylinders.

United States Patent 1 Van Scoy l 1March 13, 1973 OPERATOR [75]Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Helmerich 8: Payne, Inc., Houston,

Tex.

[22] Filed: Feb. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 112,579

Davis A. Van Scoy, Houston, Tex.

[52] U.S.Cl ..9l/l,91/167 R,9l/l76 [51] Int. Cl ..F01b25/26,F0lb31/12,F15b 11/18 [58] Field of Search....9l/l67 A, 167 R,l76, 1,177;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bennett ..91/176 578,7233/1897 Clark ..91/167 2,911,956 11/1959 Smith,.1r..... ..91/167A2,988,057 6/1961 Litz ..91/167 A 3,050,247 8/1962 Ljunggren ..91/1673,289,544 12/1966 Daniels ..91/167 A Primary ExaminerPaul E. MaslouskyAttorney-Ned L. Conley and Murray Robinson [57] ABSTRACT An apparatusfor operating a valve either 90 or 180 comprising a first hydrauliccylinder driving a first arm, and a second hydraulic cylinder mounted onthe first arm and driving a second arm and including limit switches toindicate the extremes of valve operation and a hydraulic system tosupply fluid to the hydraulic cylinders.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHARI 3191s 3 7 3 SHEU 1 UF 2 I 36 /230 i4 i I a '11]. 1, y Hll- I o o 2; 0 GB 1 fit O I .24 26 40 IINVENTOR,

- flay/J A. V00 Jcoy ATTORNEY PATEMEWR 1 3:373

SHEET 2 0F 2 ATTORNEY OPERATOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONThe apparatus of this invention is useful in connection with theapparatus disclosed and claimed in my copending application Ser. No.697,979 filed Jan. 15, 1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,580,539.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to operators for valves or other devices having a rotatableshaft adapted to be engaged by an operating mechanism.

2. Description of the Prior Art Fluid-powered actuators, and especiallyhydraulicpowered actuators, have heretofore been used in manyinstallations for causing the rotation of a rotary member of a machine.Such devices usually contain some means for converting linear motion torotary motion. In the case of plug valves, for example, such deviceshave been used for many years to rotate the stem of the plug valve, andthereby the plug therein, 90 in order to move the valve from its openposition to its closed position and vice versa.

In recent years a valve type machine has been devised which requiresboth 90 movement and 180 movement. Such an apparatus is shown, forexample, in the patents to Craven, No. 3,288,163, to Piccardo, No.3,463,448 and to Allen, No. 3,220,432. In the systems shown in thosepatents, such as pipelines, for example, means are provided forintroducing a solid article into the pipeline so that it may be carriedalong the pipe by the flowing fluids. In one such system a U-shapedmeter prover loop is installed in the pipeline with both legs of theloop being connected by a cross communicating conduit in which isinstalled a device for introducing an article at one end of the meterprover loop and removing it as it arrives at the other end. This device,sometimes called a transfer chamber, may take the form of a structure ofthe general type found in ball valves except that the bore in therotatably mounted ball extends only partially therethrough to form apocket, and the housing is provided with a door which may be opened tothe exterior for placement therein of a solid member such as a sphere.Thus, with the ball turned to expose the pocket to the outside door asphere, often in the form of a large inflated rubber ball, may beinserted in the pocket of the ball which is then rotated partially toexpose the pocket to that branch of the communicating passage whichopens into the entrance side of the meter prover loop. Then thespherical article is carried around the loop by the fluid flowingtherein and the time of its movement between spaced detectors ismeasured and recorded in order to determine tlow rate and to check meteraccuracy. After the spherical article passes around the loop, it isdeflected at the outlet side into the return branch of the crosscommunicating branch. At this time the pocketed ball is turned with itspocket exposed to the return branch to receive the returning sphere.

As may be seen from the foregoing and from the disclosures of thepatents previously referred to herein, it is necessary in such a systemthat the ball valve device be rotatable both 90 and 180 from an originalposition. Operating devices have previously been available for 90operation, and other devices have been known for converting longitudinalmotion of a fluid cylinder to rotary motion of a valve or the like (Forexample, see U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,007,490, 3,204,920, 3,237,916, 3,317,179,3,386,338 and 3,474,829), but none has heretofore been devised whichwill simply and accurately provide precisely and operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is in apparatus utilizing twohydraulic cylinders operating in series to selectively provide 90 and180 operation of a rotary device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodimentof the invention in a first position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in a secondposition; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in a thirdposition, which also includes a schematic representation of oneembodiment of a hydraulic system utilized therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment shown in thedrawing the apparatus of this invention is shown as affixed to a valveor other device 10, shown in broken lines, which has a stem 12 extendingupwardly therefrom. In the embodiment of the operator of this inventiondepicted in the drawings an arm 14 is bolted to the body of the valve10, as by means of bolt holes 16, and extends radially outwardly fromthe stem 12. The arm 14 has pivotally connected to its outer end a fluidcylinder 18. The fluid cylinder extends inwardly toward the valve stem,paral lel to the arm 14 in the positions shown in FIGS. I and 2, and thepiston rod 20 thereof is pivotally connected to a second arm 22 at apoint which is on a radius from the stem 12 which is at approximately 45to the cylinder 18. Arm 22 is pivotally mounted around the stem 12 andextends radially outwardly therefrom. A hydraulic cylinder 24 ispivotally connected to its outer end, and extends inwardly toward thevalve stem, parallel to the arm 22 in the positions shown in thedrawing. The piston rod 20 of cylinder 20 is, in the embodiment shown,connected to arm 22 intermediate the point of pivotal connection aroundthe stem 12 and the end to which the fluid cylinder 24 is attached. Thepiston rod 26 of fluid cylinder 24 is in turn pivotally connected to theouter end of the third arm 28 which is mounted on stem 12, being keyedthereto by a key 30 for rotation with the stem. The arm 28 extendsradially from the stem 12, and the piston rod 26 is connected to it at apoint on a radius which is at approximately 45 to the cylinder 24.

In the position of the elements shown in FIG. I, a limit switch 32 onthe arm 14 is engaged by the head of the bolt 34 which is adjustablymounted on arm 22. At this position arms 14 and 22 are at approximately90 to each other and the line between the center of the stem 12 and thepivot point of the piston rod 20 with arm 22 is at approximately a 45angle with the axis of the fluid cylinder 18 and with the arm 14.

There is also approximately a 45 angle between the arm 28 and the arm22, with the line between the center of the stem 12 and the pivotconnecting piston rod 26 with the arm 28 forming approximately a 45angle with the arm 22.

A dog 36 is rigidly affixed to the arm 22, as by welding, in such aposition that when the arms are in the relative positions shown in FIG.1, with the pistons of the fluid cylinders substantially fullyretracted, the dog 36 engages the edge of arm 28.

In FIG. 2 the hydraulic cylinder 18 is shown with its piston rod 20fully extended so that arms 14 and 22 are substantially parallel to eachother. In this position the line between the center of stem 12 and thepivot point of piston rod 20 with arm 22 is approximately a 45 anglewith the arm 22. The dog 36 has engaged arm 28 and caused it to pivotapproximately 90, thereby causing the stem 12 to rotate approximately90". Thus, to move from the position shown in FIG. 1 to that shown inFIG. 2 arms 22 and 28 move together, with substantially no relativemotion therebetween.

In the position shown in FIG. 3 the fluid cylinder 24 has also beenactuated to extend its piston rod 26, thereby causing arm 28 to pivot anadditional 90 so that stem 12 is rotated an additional 90. Since ann 22is pivotally mounted on stem 12, as by means of a bearing around thestem itself or around a hub of arm 28, there is no further rotation ofarm 22.

At the position shown in FIG. 3 a bolt 40 on arm 28 engages a limitswitch 42, for a purpose which will hereinafter be explained. In theposition shown in FIG. 3 the arm 28 also engages a dog 44 which isrigidly affixed to the arm 22, as by welding. The dog 44 constitutes apositive stop to prevent over travel of arm 28.

Thus, it will be seen that when both of the fluid cylinders 18 and 24are actuated to fully extend their piston rods the arm 28, and thereforestem 12, is pivoted approximately 180". It is apparent that the twofluid cylinders could be actuated separately or together, and thateither could be operated before the other.

The limit switch 42 provides a signal indicating that the arm 28 haspivoted 180 to the position shown in FIG. 3. Such a signal may be usedto initiate other operations or merely as advice to the operator.

When the flow of fluid to the cylinders 18 and 24 is applied to theopposite ends of the cylinders the piston rods are retracted and thearms 28 and 22 return to their original positions. The dog 44 ispositioned to engage arm 28, so that as soon as arm 22 begins to move,the dog 44 engages arm 28 and moves this arm with arm 22. Of course,when the fluid cylinder 24 begins to operate then dog 44 will notfunction.

When both of arms 22 and 28 have returned to their original positionsthe bolt head 34 engages limit switch 32, which provides a signalindicating that the apparatus has returned to the position shown in FIG.1.

In FIG. 3 there is also shown a schematic representation of onehydraulic system for operating the fluid cylinders. In the system thereshown a pump 46 pumps hydraulic fluid from a supply tank 48 through afourway valve 50 to conduits 52 and 54 providing hydraulic fluid to theouter ends of the cylinders 18 and 24, or in another position of thefour-way valve, to conduits 56 and 58, providing fluid to the inner endsof the hydraulic cylinders. Return fluid from the hydraulic cylinderpasses through the same lines and through the four-way valve 50 andconduit 60 in which there is provided a conventional ad ustable flowcontrol 62 and a check valve 64 which allows flow of fluid back into thetank 48.

The lines 52 and 56 leading to hydraulic cylinder 24 are provided withvalves 66 and 68 which may be closed if it is desired to operate fluidcylinder 18 alone, thereby achieving a rotation of the valve stem 12.

It is apparent that the four-way valve 50 may be solenoid operated andmay be actuated by a suitable manual or automatic electrical switch. Thelimit switches 32 and 42 may provide signals to an operator to shut offthe pump 46, or they may automatically actuate a switch to turn the pumpoff. Such systems are well known in the art and need not be furtherdescribed here.

Thus, there has been provided an operator for a valve or other mechanismhaving a rotary shaft which is suitable for providing either 90 orrotation of the shaft. While preferred embodiments of the invention havebeen shown and described herein the invention is not limited to theseembodiments specifically described but only by the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for causing up to 180 rotation of shaft rotatably mountedin a machine, including a first arm adapted to be mounted on saidmachine and fixed against movement relative thereto,

a second arm rotatably mountable on said shaft,

a third arm adapted to be mounted on said shaft and fixed againstmovement relative thereto,

a first fluid cylinder containing a piston rod, said first cylinderpivotally attached to one of said first and second arms and having itspiston rod pivotally attached to the other of said first and secondarms,

a second fluid cylinder containing a piston rod, said second-cylinderpivotally attached to one of said second and third arms and having itspiston rod pivotally attached to the other of said second and thirdarms,

means for supplying fluid to said fluid cylinders, and

means for controlling the flow of fluid to said fluid cylinders to causeeach of said piston rods to be moved sufficiently to rotate each of thesecond and third arms 90 with respect to the first and second arms,respectively.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the control means is adaptedto separately actuate said fluid cylinders.

3. Apparatus as defined by claim I and including means on said secondand third anns engageable upon actuation of said first fluid cylinderwithout actuation of said second fluid cylinder to cause said third armto rotate with said second arm.

4. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 and including signal means adapted tobe energized upon movement of said third arm 180.

1. Apparatus for causing up to 180* rotation of a shaft rotatablymounted in a machine, including a first arm adapted to be mounted onsaid machine and fixed against movement relative thereto, a second armrotatably mountable on said shaft, a third arm adapted to be mounted onsaid shaft and fixed against movement relative thereto, a first fluidcylinder containing a piston rod, said first cylinder pivotally attachedto one of said first and second arms and having its piston rod pivotallyattached to the other of said first and second arms, a second fluidcylinder containing a piston rod, said second cylinder pivotallyattached to one of said second and third arms and having its piston rodpivotally attached to the other of said second and third arms, means forsupplying fluid to said fluid cylinders, and means for controlling theflow of fluid to said fluid cylinders to cause each of said piston rodsto be moved sufficiently to rotate each of the second and third arms 90*with respect to the first and second arms, respectively.
 1. Apparatusfor causing up to 180* rotation of a shaft rotatably mounted in amachine, including a first arm adapted to be mounted on said machine andfixed against movement relative thereto, a second arm rotatablymountable on said shaft, a third arm adapted to be mounted on said shaftand fixed against movement relative thereto, a first fluid cylindercontaining a piston rod, said first cylinder pivotally attached to oneof said first and second arms and having its piston rod pivotallyattached to the other of said first and second arms, a second fluidcylinder containing a piston rod, said second cylinder pivotallyattached to one of said second and third arms and having its piston rodpivotally attached to the other of said second and third arms, means forsupplying fluid to said fluid cylinders, and means for controlling theflow of fluid to said fluid cylinders to cause each of said piston rodsto be moved sufficiently to rotate each of the second and third arms 90*with respect to the first and second arms, respectively.
 2. Apparatus asdefined by claim 1 wherein the control means is adapted to separatelyactuate said fluid cylinders.
 3. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 andincluding means on said second and third arms engageable upon actuationof said first fluid cylinder without actuation of said second fluidcylinder to cause said third arm to rotate with said second arm.